JANUARY
Day 01 – Elections in the traditional rural communities with the handing over of the baton which is the symbol of authority in rural areas of Cusco. Kink´uy, a demonstration of dexterity in agricultural and cattle activities, organized by locals in rural areas of Cusco.
Day 06 - Last day of exhibition of images of the Christ child in churches and houses in the city of Cusco.
Day 20 - San Sebastian, patron saint of the parish which bears his name. Masses in Quechua, processions (San Sebastian - Cusco)
Day 27 - Pera Chapchy, festival with folkloric dances. (San Sebastian - Cusco). |
FEBRUARY
Day 2 - Day of the Virgin of Purification in the Church of San Pedro in Cusco and in the district of Saylla - Cusco. Day of the Candler’s Virgin in Caninkunka - Cusco Festival of carnivals in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Moveable feast) |
MARCH
Day 19 - Day of San Jose in church of San Cristobal with fireworks. Day 23 and 24 - Anniversary of the Spanish foundation of the city of Cusco. |
APRIL
Moveable feast Palm Sunday. Folkloric processions. (San Sebastian Cusco) Easter Monday - Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, Patron Saint of the City of Cusco. Maunday Thursday Good Friday – Procession |
MAY
Day 02 – The Festival of the Crosses in Cusco and other towns. A ceremony of the cross several churches, private houses, bridges and community roads. The crosses are dressed in colourful robes and gold devoted by the faithful. The crosses are worshipped in order to bring success in the coming year to construction projects, crops etc.
Day 15 - Religious festival for the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro |
JUNE
Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoylluriti in the town of Ocongate. 5 hours from Cusco and at an altitude of 5,000 m. This fascinating festival is an example of the religious syncretism of indigenous and Catholic beliefs. Corpus Christi, a Catholic festivity in the city of Cusco, the origins of which go back to the time of the Incas, when the mummies of the deceased Inca sovereigns were taken in procession around the city’s main square. Today the images of virgins and saints are taken from the parish churches in procession and local foods are eaten at street stalls. On the Sunday before Inti Raymi at Raqchi a festival is held at the Temple of Viracocha.
Day 24 - INTY RAYMI. - The most important ritual in the Inca calendar, the Sun Festival begins in the Qoricancha, presided over by the Inca and his imperial retinue, from where they continue to the main square and thence to the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman for the main ceremony, when a llama is sacrificed to the sun god. In San Jeronimo, Maras and Yucay the fiesta of San Juan is held to propitiate the reproduction of livestock. (Cusco).
Day 29 – Ollantaytambo: Festival of Qhapaq Raymi, recalling the classic drama “Ollantay".
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JULY
Day 16 - Festival of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo, 110 km from Cusco. |
AUGUST:
MONTH OF RITUALS
Day 15 – Festival of the Virgin of the Ascension. Last Sunday of the month – Inca festival of Warachicuy, when young Inca nobles competed to show their agility, skill and strength in order to acquire full citizenship |
SEPTEMBER
8 - Virgin of the Nativity with folkloric dances in the church of Almudena (Cusco).
14 – Festival of the Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca, in the district of San Salvador 1 hour from Cusco.
30 - Day of San Jeronimo, religious and folkloric festival in the district of the same name (Cusco). |
OCTOBER
Day 04 – Festival of San Francisco in Urcos and Maras in Cusco.
Day 07 - Festival of the Virgin of the Rosary in the towns of Combapata, Urcos and Checacupe in Cusco. |
NOVEMBER
Day 01 –Day of the Dead, when locals visit the tombs of the dead
Day 02 – All Saints Day. |
DECEMBER
Day 24 – Traditional craft fair of Santurantikuy in the city of Cusco. Day 25 - Cusco Christmas. |
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